The Solution: Which Teas Are Best For Kidneys
Not all teas are cause for concern when it comes to kidneys. There are plenty of tea types that havent been linked to kidney disease, and in fact may help improve kidney health! The key you may have learned by now is levels of caffeine and oxalates, and also other constituents like certain antioxidants which can actually be beneficial to kidney health.
Does Tea Cause Kidney Stones
Tea does not cause kidney stones.ea may reduce the risk of kidney stones
Even though black tea has oxalates in it, oxalate is only part of the story when it comes to kidney stone prevention. Tea has many benefits for kidney stone prevention such as fluid and even caffeine.
Ultimately, studies have found that tea is associated with an 11% reduced risk of kidney stones.
Is Tea Coffee Or Caffeine Good For Your Kidneys What Teas Are Best
Kidney health is a big concern for a lot of people, and there are many rumors flying around about whether tea and coffee are safe for this part of the body. Will your morning cup of tea give you kidney stones? Can coffee cause kidney failure? Should you give up caffeine to protect your body?
Many err on the side of caution and think they should avoid all tea and coffee to be safe, but there are many teas that are perfectly fine for kidneys, and you shouldnt have to miss out!
In this post, Ill be answering the questions:
- What is the connection between caffeine and kidneys?
- Is black tea bad for your kidneys?
- Is coffee bad for your kidneys?
- Is yerba mate tea good or bad for kidneys?
- Which tea is best for kidneys?
We chose to research and write this article in particular because so many tea drinkers we meet in person and talk with online have told us they used to be coffee drinkers, and due to kidney issues their doctors told them to switch to tea. That said, kidney infections, kidney stones, and kidney disease are different conditions which come with their own recommendations so always talk with your physician before any dietary changes.Read on to get the facts!
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Phosphoric Acid In Soda
Cola, specifically, has a lot of phosphoric acid in it. Other kinds of sodas usually do not have phosphoric acid.
In addition to sugar, phosphoric acid may be why soda can cause kidney stones.
Some studies have shown a higher risk of kidney stones, and harmful changes in urine in people who drink cola . However, others have shown a modest reduced risk.
Some articles have suggested that phosphoric acid dissolves kidney stones. This is not true. No food or supplement can dissolve kidney stones. However, nutrition can play an big role in prevention!
Bottom Line: Because phosphoric acid is harmful for people with kidney disease, this indicates it generally is not good for kidneys. I would steer clear of dark sodas for kidney stone prevention.
Does Black Tea Cause Kidney Stones
Although black tea is higher in oxalates than other types of lightly or non-fermented tea, as mentioned above, recent studies suggest that moderate daily tea consumption is actually associated with a lower risk of renal stone disease .
Does Milk in Tea Affect Oxalates?
Oxalates have the potential to bind to a significant proportion of the calcium in added milk. When calcium is attached, oxalate will go through the stomach and intestines, finally leaving the body in the stool, rather than as urine via the kidney.
This is good if you are trying to lower the amount of oxalate going through the kidney, especially if you are a black tea drinker. However, if you struggle with getting enough calcium, you may need to boost your calcium intake to compensate .
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How Do Oxalates Threaten My Kidney Health
Oxalates occur naturally in many foods. The kidneys job is to clean these waste products from the blood, that then leave the body in the urine.
If there is too little liquid in the urine and too much oxalate, calcium oxalate fragments can occur. As these fragments build up, crystals accumulate and stones can be created.
The simple thought is that food and beverages with higher oxalate levels are linked to higher risk of kidney stones.
However recent research is showing that tea, specifically may contain substances that actually repair and protect or kidney from oxalic-acid damage.
Is Gatorade Good For Kidney Stones
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It is common knowledge that fluid is good for kidney stones. But what kind of fluid is best? Is Gatorade good for kidney stones? What about other drinks?
Read on to learn everything you need to know about kidney stones, Gatorade and fluid!
*Please note that this post contains clearly identified affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases .
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What Is The Relationship Between Green Tea And Kidney Stones
Green tea has actually been shown to reduce the risk of kidney stone formation in women by a respectable eight percent. In men, that risk reduction increases to 14 percent. While green tea still leads to an increase of oxalate in the blood, it adversely impacts crystal formation, which is the kidney stone.
How Does Green Tea Help Prevent Kidney Stones?
It is believed that the extract from green tea ends up adhering itself to the calcium oxalate as it is emitted. This impacts the way that the crystals are formed in comparison to other types of tea. In essence, the crystals formed from green tea do not clump together like they normally would.
Not All Stones Are Created Equal
In addition to calcium oxalate stones, another common type of kidney stones is uric acid stones. Red meat, organ meats, and shellfish have high concentrations of a natural chemical compound known as purines. “High purine intake leads to a higher production of uric acid and produces a larger acid load for the kidneys to excrete,” said Dr. Jhagroo. Higher uric acid excretion leads to lower overall urine pH, which means the urine is more acidic. The high acid concentration of the urine makes it easier for uric acid stones to form.
To prevent uric acid stones, cut down on high-purine foods such as red meat, organ meats, and shellfish, and follow a healthy diet that contains mostly vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and low fat dairy products. Limit sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, especially those that contain high fructose corn syrup. Limit alcohol because it can increase uric acid levels in the blood and avoid crash diets for the same reason. Eating less animal-based protein and eating more fruits and vegetables will help decrease urine acidity and this will help reduce the chance for stone formation.
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Should You Have Concerns
Any of these symptoms is enough for you to seek medical advice. The longer you wait, the more complicated it will be to pass the stone. Also, the symptoms may not be indicative of a kidney stone, but another problem you should uncover.
You should always seek urgent attention if the symptoms are severe such as pain accompanied by nausea, fever, blood in urine, and difficulty in peeing.
How Much Fluid Do You Need
Most people with kidney stones should drink enough fluid to make 2 liters of urine each day.
We lose some fluid from breathing, sweat, feces and even during digesting food. For most people, drinking 3 liters of fluid will be enough to meet the goal of 2 liters of urine.
But, your fluid goals may be different. They could be higher if you live in a very hot climate or exercise a lot. They could be less if you have a small body size or have heart, liver or kidney failure.
Ask your doctor how much fluid is right for you.
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Before We Start: Defining Some Basic Kidney Terms
Your kidneys are truly amazing. A healthy set of kidneys filters about ½ cup of blood every minute! They remove excess water and wastes from the blood .
Kidney infections occur when bacteria from the gut travel through the bladder and up to the kidneys . These are usually treated with antibiotics, and if you talk to your doctor, you may be able to add herbs to your treatment regimen to help ease pain and other symptoms.
Kidney stones are made up of crystal-forming substances, such as uric acid, calcium, oxalate, or cysteine. High levels of these in the urine and too little fluid to dilute them can cause stones . Drinking more fluids, changing the diet, and sometimes medication are used as preventative approaches .
Kidney disease or failure involves the loss of kidney function. Some causes include:
- Obstructions .
Now, lets find out how your favorite beverages might play into all this.
Making Sorrel Iced Tea
My first sorrel tea experience was at my sister in laws house everyone raves about her sorrel tea, and baked salmon, and steak, well she is an amazing cook, and after tasting her sorrel tea, I and hubby tried to recreate it in our humble kitchen.
I read a lot about sorrels health benefits and yes it can lower blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol, and detoxify the entire body. Can you imagine that your body is healing while you are doing the simplest thing which is drinking delicious sorrel iced tea.
Although this recipe of Sorrel Iced Tea will keep you wanting to pour more and more in your glass, but too much of sorrel can create kidney stones, so moderation is the key.
Now, if you have some sorrel in your kitchen go ahead and make some using my recipe, and if you dont, I guess its time to buy some.
, and if you happen to make any of my recipes, please post the picture and mention me in your post, or use this hashtag #munatycooking. I would love to see your creation.
As for my recipe, here you go!
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Is Yerba Mate Tea Good Or Bad For Kidneys
Yerba mate is an herbal tea native to South America with a smooth, woody flavor. Its high in antioxidants and nutrients. We bring it up here because it has a caffeine content comparable to coffee, making it a popular coffee alternative for waking you up in the morning.
Despite yerba mates benefits, there is little research on its relationship to kidney health. It does contain oxalic acid, an oxalate, so it should be avoided in excess when experiencing kidney conditions .
I have come across information that yerba mate may have properties which can help dissolve kidney stones. However, I have yet to verify this information with any reliable sources . At this time, Id recommend speaking to your physician and moderating your consumption of yerba mate if kidney health is a concern for you.
What we do know is that the antioxidants in yerba mate really make an impact in how the body responds to the high caffeine – in a good way. A much healthier way to get your high caffeine kick. To learn more about yerba mate and its benefits, check out our spotlight post!
Coffee, Black Tea and the Kidneys: The Conclusion:
For those who like cups and cups a day of coffee or black tea, the caffeine and oxalates should make you pause for thought if you care about your kidneys. BUT all is not lost, read on for…
The Takeaway: If You Have Kidney Stones Talk To Your Doctor About Tea
The key in all of this is to remember that many types of tea are actually quite good for your body on many levels. At the same time, moderation is advised if you already know that you suffer from kidney stones. You may have to switch to a different type of tea or cut back on your consumption, but you can still drink your favorite beverage in most situations.
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How To Prevent Kidney Stones
Because hydration is key for preventing kidney stones, drinking lots of water will help move them along since they need to be flushed out of the body. We recommend consuming any soda in moderation, and if you must, stick to the light citrus types that have less sugar and chemicals. Please note, its best to avoid soda altogether if kidney stones run in your family.
Alternatives to soda include fresh fruit juices. Orange juice has been studied and shown to decrease the risk of stone formation. Fresh-squeezed lemonade is also great for preventing the formation of kidney stones. These beverages are high in citrate which binds to calcium in the urinary tract, preventing stone formation.
Additionally, improve your diet for optimal urological health in general. Limit meat intake, look for low-sodium options when shopping for food, and make sure you get your daily recommended amount of calcium. This will keep oxalate levels in check.
Can You Still Drink Tea If You Dont Want Kidney Stones
Taking tea will likely not harm you as long as you do so in moderation. If you go for highly fermented teas such as black teas, your oxalate consumption will increase. And that means you should stick to two or fewer cups each day.
For lighter teas, you can drink as many as five without much of a problem. As long as you are moderate in your drinks, you should be fine. Studies even suggest that taking tea daily can significantly reduce your kidney stone risks.
As you do this, you should also consider other factors such as your diet, water intake, weight, family history, and underlying medical conditions. Remember that kidney stones result from not one but a combination of factors.
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Tea And Kidney Stones
Tea is often listed on the avoid food/beverage list for helping to prevent kidney stones. Someone who was told to avoid tea after a recent bout with kidney stones, asked me whether this includes ALL types of teas
The reason tea is listed on the AVOID list for oxalate-containing kidney stones is because they are considered to be oxalate-containing beverages. But is there a difference in oxalate content between the different types of tea?
In a journal article I found, the researches tested an assortment of teas for oxalate content. They found that soluble oxalate contents of black tea in tea bags and loose tea leaves were 4.68 and 5.11 milligrams per gram of tea. Green teas and oolong tea had lower oxalate amounts, ranging from .23 to 1.15 milligrams per gram of tea. The oxalate content of the herbal teas they tested ranged from not detected to 3 milligrams per gram of tea.
Anyone with kidney stones should check with their doctor or specialist first, but it appears that herbal and green teas may be a great option for someone who has a history of oxalate kidney stones but finds comfort and enjoyment in an occasional cup of tea.
Chamomile Tea And Kidneys
Like rooibos, chamomile tea is caffeine free and low in tannins and oxalates .
However, chamomile may have more than just a neutral effect on kidneys. In an animal study, animals with nephrotoxicity were administered chamomile and it was found to improve kidney function .
Chamomile also reduces kidney dysfunction as a result of high fat diets. Long story short, theres pretty good evidence that chamomile is good for kidneys ! That is a cup of good news.
To learn more about chamomile and its benefits, read our chamomile spotlight post!
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Excessive Ice Tea Leads To Man’s Kidney Failure
A man’s kidney failure has been linked to his excessive iced tea habitbut don’t worry, you’re probably not approaching the danger zone. The 56-year-old Arkansas man was drinking 16 glasses of the stuff daily, amounting to a gallon every day,the AP reports. Black tea contains a lot of a compound called oxalate, which can lead to kidney issues,LiveScience reports.
“With 16 cups of tea daily, the patient’s daily consumption of oxalate was more than 1500mga level that is higher than the average American intake by a factor of approximately three to 10,” scientists say.
The man was hospitalized last year, and his urine contained lots of the calcium oxalate crystals involved in kidney stones. He was put on dialysis and he may be on it for life, doctors note.
“We are not advising against tea consumption,” a researcher says. “If you are healthy and drink tea with moderation, it should not cause damage to your kidneys.”
In fact, past studies have suggested that a more reasonable amount of tea can actually fight kidney stones, an outside researcher tells Reuters. Still, many of us apparently consume too much oxalate, which can be found in spinach, chocolate, nuts, and wheat bran, among other foods. While experts don’t recommend going beyond 50mg per day, the average American consumes 152mg to 511mg, researchers note.
This story originally appeared on Newser:
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Foods That Can Cause Kidney Stones
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Kidney stones can go unnoticed for years if they remain small. However, in many individuals, they cause considerable pain and temporary disability. What causes these agonizing formations, and how can you prevent and treat them?
Some of the answers may lie in your diet. Here are ten foods that can cause kidney stones and an overview of this condition with your treatment options.
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